Deep Winter

This meditation series is inspired by Katherine May’s, Wintering, The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times,

As humans living in a post-industrial revolution society, we have tumbled unintentionally into normalising that life is in constant spring or summer, always blooming, always producing, and always busy. Since moving to the countryside here in France I have learned an enormous amount about the seasons from the nature that has surrounded me and I credit it with me learning to adjust to the slow rhythms here. To take my time.

In this period of deep winter, I invite you to drop into this period of dormancy, and hibernation. To make time for quiet, sleep, and stillness. To open up to the possibilities this will bring us for the seasons that follow.

Hibernation is a period of dormancy for animals and plants. Essentially there is less food around and it’s colder and it’s the time of year to be busy preparing ourselves for this period. As an Occupational Therapist, we use activity as a therapeutic tool to support wellbeing, so here is a a simple meditation series to prepare you for your hibernation. Being deliberate with how you take care of yourself will have an impact not only on your overall health but those around you.

May your time in this deep winter season be soothed, calmed, and nourished with this series, supporting your mind, body, and soul.

Settle in, have a cup of tea (perhaps in a heat protecting cup) at the ready, and any journalling tools you may find useful for the inquiry into the practice. The sessions were recorded with a group once a week over 6 session. You are welcome to follow this format or your own pattern, perhaps even one a day for 6 days. If you need any help with the practices for example posture or any challenges you experience please do reach out josephine@thewellbeingatelier.com.

The atelier follows the following format:

• Meditation

• Poem

• Tea meditation

• Reflective Inquiry with journal prompts (opportunity to pause, reflect or journal about your direct experience of the practice)

• You are welcome to email me about anything that you may wish to explore josephine@thewellbeingatelier.com)

• A closing Meditation and invitation for home practice

What do I need to prepare?

Each practice will be either a sitting, movement or lying down, for meditation hints and tips have a look at this handout HERE. In advance of the session, you’ll need:

• Use a chair, cushions or a stool

• Enough space for an exercise mat on the floor

• Enough space to move your arms around your body from standing

• Any props for comfort and warmth (see the handout mentioned)

• A glass of water or warm drink for the tea meditation.